505 sacks of ‘illegal’ mineral ores seized in Dapitan port

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Authorities seized 505 sacks of alleged illegal mineral ores loaded in a wing van at the Pulawan Port in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte on Sunday afternoon.

The vehicle, bearing license plate AAV-4007, was driven by Ramil Tolibas, 52, of Southern Leyte, who was taken into custody after presenting fraudulent documents and the questionable cargo.

Personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-9 (MGB-9), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO), Maritime Police, and the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) carried out the joint operation around 1 pm.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: 1,600 sacks of ‘illegal’ mineral ores seized in Dipolog port

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Officials said the truck was already aboard Lite Ferries 12 bound for Oslob, Cebu, when PCG officer LTJG Christian Dave Tayco ordered it offloaded due to suspicious cargo.

The driver initially refused to open the van, citing instructions from the owner, but authorities forced the vehicle open after detecting irregularities in the presented Ore Transport Permit (OTP).

Engr. Grant Rey Prenala, of MGB-9, confirmed the OTP was fraudulent, bearing the alleged forged signature of Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Dulce Ann Hofer.

He clarified that only MGB has jurisdiction to issue such a permit.

Article continues after this advertisement

Upon inspection, authorities discovered suspected high-grade mineral ores inside the truck.

Tolibas admitted the cargo was loaded in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, and was bound for Cebu City.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Alleged illegal copper ores worth P600,000 seized in Agusan Norte

The fraudulent OTP listed FILI Dragons Mineral Trading, a Mandaue-based firm, as the supposed owner.

Tolibas was placed under arrest while representatives of participating agencies sealed and inventoried the wing van and its contents, after which a seizure receipt was issued.

Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Darel Dexter Uy has ordered intensified surveillance against illegal mining operations, stressing the need to enforce environmental laws and protect the province’s natural resources.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Authorities said the seized truck will be consolidated with three other wing vans intercepted last week at the Dipolog City port for also transporting alleged illegal mineral ores. /coa